The Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy bandwagon kept rolling at Naas on Monday, December 15 with the red-hot combination responsible for a treble on the programme.
Kennedy, from Dingle, was seen at his very best when getting everything out of Prends Garde A Toi for Elliott and the Gigginstown team in the opening Beginners Chase at odds of 5/1, scoring by a neck and two lengths from the Willie Mullins duo, King Alexander and the odds-on Funiculi Funicula.
Open Secret won his maiden hurdle with some authority, by a margin of seven lengths, while the pair downed the Willie Mullins champion bumper horse of last season, the 1-4 chance Bambino Fever, with Oldschool Outlaw by half a length, priced at 3-1.
The final act of the Dundalk racing calendar last Friday evening went to Dunlavin-based but Kerry-born trainer Michael O’Callaghan and Genoah, ridden by patiently by Tuam, Co Calway-raised rider Leigh Roche to lead inside the final furlong and score by three-parts of a length to reward supporters at 6-1.
A strong Kerry connection prevailed in the feature event at Thurles on Saturday, the Listed mares novice hurdle when Amen Kate scored for Tralee trainer Tom Cooper with the former champion jockey Jack Kennedy up. Amen Kate grabbed the lead after the final flight and stayed strongest to the line to score by over two lengths at 4-1. Her trainer said she would next appear in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. She is 40-1 for that antepost.
Upcoming Fixtures
Leopardstown Friday, December 26 (First Race 12.05pm)
Limerick Friday, December 26 (First Race 12.25pm)
Down Royal Friday, December 26 (First Race, 1140am)
Leopardstown Saturday, December 27 (First Race 12.05pm)
Limerick Saturday, December 27 (First Race 12.17pm)
Leopardstown Sunday, December 28 (First Race 12.10pm)
Limerick Sunday, December 28 (First Race 12.30pm)
Leopardstown Monday, December 29 (First Race 11.40am)
Limerick Monday, December 29 (First Race 12pm)
Punchestown Wednesday, December 31 (First Race 12.35pm)
Fairyhouse Thursday, January 1 (First Race 12.25pm)
Tramore Thursday, January 1 (First Race 12.05pm)
Cork Saturday, January 3 (First Race 12.30pm)
Naas Sunday, January 4 (First Race 12.25pm)
